Gabriel Pediatrics, a Brooklyn Pediatric Care Center, Discusses the Effects of Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Children

January 27, 2014

In response to an article published by Healio, Gabriel Pediatrics elaborates on the effects secondhand smoke exposure can have on children.

New York, NY (PRWEB) January 27, 2014

Gabriel Pediatrics responds to an article published on January 20 by Healio, which takes a closer look at the effects on children who have been exposed to secondhand smoke and the direct correlation between the exposure and increased hospital readmission rates.

According to the January 20 article published by Healio titled “Secondhand smoke exposure increased hospital readmission rates in children with asthma,” secondhand smoke at home or in the car greatly increased children’s risk of being readmitted to the hospital within a year of an original asthma diagnosis. These findings are published in a recent study in Pediatrics.

In the study, performed by Dr. Robert S. Kahn, MD, MPH and his team, 619 children aged 1 to 16 years admitted for asthma were evaluated to determine whether or not secondhand smoke exposure had an effect on hospital readmission. Serum and salivary cotinine levels were recorded during the patients’ hospital stays and primary caregivers were questioned about tobacco exposure.

The study reports that 35 percent of caregivers said that the patient had been exposure to tobacco. More than half of the children evaluated had serum and salivary cotinine levels above the “limit of detection.”

Dr. Kahn explains the importance of the method behind the study. “The ability to measure serum and salivary cotinine levels presents the possibility of an objective measure that can be obtained when a child is seen in the emergency department or in the hospital and may be used to predict future hospitalizations,” he says. “Such a measure for exposure to tobacco smoke could be used to target specific interventions at caregivers of those children before discharge from the hospital. Several interventions, including parental counseling and contact with the primary care physician, could be adopted in the clinical practice.”

A representative of Gabriel Pediatrics advises parents and caregivers to do what they can to limit the exposure of secondhand smoke to the children around them. “It is no secret that tobacco exposure is harmful to those of all ages,” says the rep. “However, secondhand smoke can be particularly harmful to younger ones with asthma and should be kept at bay at all costs.”

Gabriel Pediatrics provides comprehensive pediatric care to children throughout the New York area with practices both in Brooklyn and Staten Island. Our board certified pediatricians and experienced staff help provide a very warm and nurturing environment for both you and your children. Our approach combines the latest treatment methods with the personal attention you should expect from your doctor. Simply put, we understand the importance of communication and trust and we are earning that trust one family at a time.